06 October, 2009

The Polyvalent frames are done and waiting for a ship; here are more details. (The above photo is of Kyle's early prototype and daily rider).

Size

(cm, c-t-t)

Seat Tube

(incl. extension mm)

Top Tube

(c-t-c, mm)

Head Tube Angle

(degrees)

Seat Tube Angle

(degrees)

Chain Stays

(mm)

Fork Offset

(mm)

BB Drop

(mm)

51

530

540

73

72

440

63

67

54

560

560

73

72

440

63

67

57

590

590

73

72

445

63

67

60

620

610

73

72

445

63

67

The idea behind this frame is that it is a city bike that's capable of being used for cyclo-touring or even light trail riding. Polyvalent is French for "general-purpose".

The frame is a low trail (39mm), French inspired design, much like our Gentleman semi-custom frame. It is designed for front loads.

The color is dark gray. Carbon?

The wheels are 650b. That's really the best choice for riding on bumpy city streets.

Maximum tire size with fenders is around 44mm.

The rear dropouts are short horizontal dropouts. The reason we used short horizontal dropouts is to allow internal hubs and single speed wheels to be used without the need for a chain tensioner. Longer dropouts would make wheel removal difficult on a fendered bike

There is a kickstand plate.

A spring between the kickstand plate and the front of the rear fender allows the fender to flex forward for wheel removal, while maintaining proper fender line.

Instead of shifter bosses on the down tube, there are cable housing stops under it. I don't think many folks will want to use down tube shifters on this frame and the stops look much cleaner, especially if the frame is set up with internal gearing or as a single speed.

The tubing is all double butted CR-MO in traditional, not modern oversize, diameters. This makes for a supple and comfortable ride (not to mention the whole planing issue).

The rear brake cable housing is uninterrupted. You can sit on the top tube at the cafe without fear of bare cable marring the paint, or your work pants. The cable is not run under the top tube so as not to dig into your shoulder when carrying the bike up the steps to your apartment.

$450 plus shipping for frame and fork. We'll work out a way to do pre-orders soon.

Nice! I love the somewhat matte or semigloss appearance of the paint in the photos.

Any chance of getting fenders and/or chainguards already finished in a matching color? If the price was right, I know I'd pay a premium over the standard price of that gear to avoid having to do that work myself.

We wanted a color that would not stand out in the urban environment; something that would not scream steal me and hide the inevitable dings and scratches that our urban explorations supply in abundance.

We had origianlly intended this to be a 650b porteur style city bike. It morphed into the Polyvalent.

Could you please explain the science behind this claim: "The wheels are 650b. That's really the best choice for riding on bumpy city streets." I am not trying to be contrary, nor am I refuting it, just genuinely interested. Thanks.

My understanding is that 650B rims allow wider tires to be mounted within a given chainstay and fork spacing. Wider tires can be used at a lower pressure while still maintaining the ideal tire deflection of about 10%.

Personally I don't care for the nameplate decals and I think I would want to have this frame repainted before building it up. I think a city bike is best with no logos at all. I second the PP's emotion that the decals could be placed above the clearcoat for easy removal.

If you took the position that a logo was simply necessary, I would be in favor of the scheme that VO used to have in place, where there was just one rather modest white logo on top of the downtube. Seemed so much classier to me, that's all.

At any rate, these huge orange logos are just way too garish, to my eye.

Tom said: "We wanted a color that would not stand out in the urban environment; something that would not scream steal me."

I second that. My Bottecchia Professional is painted brown, something no Italian bike builder would dream of doing, but I park in some pretty grim places. What good's a bike you can't ride everywhere?

I like this bike overall, though a 73 degree seat tube is better for me. (On my bikes with 73s and a standard Kalloy post, the clamp is dead center on the seat rails of my favorite saddles.) But other than that, I think this is a superb addition to the real-world bike world. Good going!

I'm quite pleased to see the seat tube angle dialed back to 72 degrees (I'd have gone even a degree or two further, but 72 is quite nice). Looking forward to the complete bike specs and pricing -- late 2010 ought to be just about the time my wife will let me buy another bike....

I don't understand the rear dropouts, never seen this before. Looks like they were brazed on to the tubes, what is the reasoning behind this type of construction? Would these be considered stamped or forged dropouts?

"it's the kogswell killer! very nice." Perhaps more of a Kogswell kopy (which kopied vintage designs, admittedly). That might matter if the Kog website was functional or if the proprietor returned calls. I like the Polyvalent. I think its a winner.

I really like the new Polyvalent as you show it built up. The dimensions and angle look like the bike will be, just as you say, "polyvalent." Did you have an older bike or a European bike that you liked which led you to those dimensions? Or does it combine several features which you liked from other bikes you have ridden?

Looks good Chris. Any chance in offering a pale blue during the second run of these frames? If not, thumbs up on the orange....that'll definitely go well with brown leather and the black canvas used on the VO bags.

You mentioned offering the Polyvalent as a complete bike by the end of next year. I think it would be interesting to offer it as a SS and multi-geared bike. I know I'd definitely pick up a SS model.